Collision sends car crashing into tree; water valve sheared

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 | 9:35 a.m.

An automobile accident on Boulder Highway just south of Tropicana Avenue Tuesday night sent a plume of water shooting more than 30 feet into the air, soaking rescue workers who had to shield the injured with plastic sheets.

When a man driving a maroon Dodge Dynasty apparently tried to turn left from the northbound lanes and failed to stop, his car collided with a silver Ford Taurus that was moving in a southbound lane. The Dynasty then spun onto the sidewalk and sheared off a water valve, finally ending up wrapped around a palm tree.

Water shot well above the height of the palm, which neither bent nor broke.

Alcohol consumption may have played a part in the accident, which happened about 6:15 p.m., Metro Police officer David Gilbert said. The southbound lanes of the highway were closed to traffic for more than an hour.

The driver of the Dynasty was taken by Mercy Air ambulance to University Medical Center's Trauma Unit and is expected to survive his injuries. The driver of the Taurus was taken to St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson. Police said he was conscious and talking before he was taken to the hospital.

No charges have been filed and the accident is still under investigation.

A Las Vegas Valley Water District crew restored the valve. The valve keeps air out and water flowing in a 24-inch line buried beneath the highway.